No charges filed in altercation between Britney Spears and NBA rookie’s security, Vegas police say | CBC News

No charges will be filed following a brief investigation of an altercation involving pop star Britney Spears, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama and a member of the player’s security team, Las Vegas police said Friday.

Spears said she was struck by a security guard as she tried to approach Wembanyama near a restaurant in a Las Vegas casino complex on Wednesday night. Wembanyama said a person — he was told later that it was Spears — grabbed him from behind.

Spears filed a police report, alleging battery. The Las Vegas Metro Police Department said its investigation is over and “no charges will be filed against the person involved.”

Video shows Spears hit herself: police

Police said surveillance video shows Spears inadvertently hit herself in the face after her hand was pushed off Wembanyama.

Wembanyama is scheduled to make his NBA Summer League debut for the Spurs in Las Vegas on Friday night. The 7-foot-3 French teen was the No. 1 pick in last month’s NBA draft and is entering the league with as much acclaim as any player since LeBron James in 2003.

Spears said she recognized Wembanyama at another hotel earlier in the evening Wednesday and when she saw him again at the Aria Resort & Casino she “decided to approach him and congratulate him

“His security then back handed me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd,” Spears said, alleging she was nearly knocked down and had her glasses knocked off her face.

Spears hopeful for apology

Spears said in posts on Twitter and Instagram that the run-in was “super embarrassing,” and denied grabbing Wembanyama, saying she only “tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.”

She also said that she was hopeful of getting an apology from the team or the security guard she said was involved.

Wembanyama had a different account of the events. He said security advised him to not stop for anyone as he walked into the restaurant, mindful that pausing could cause a stir and allow a crowd to build. He said one person was shouting “sir, sir,” to him, and he said “that person grabbed me from behind.” 

He was told hours later that person was Spears. He never saw her, he said, because he never turned around.